Man United ease past Villa to go five clear at top

April 16, 2012 00:00 IST

Manchester United moved a step closer to retaining the Premier League title with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday to move five points clear at the top.

The three points did not arrive without controversy, however, as Ashley Young's theatrical tumble in the penalty area under minimal contact allowed Wayne Rooney to settle the hosts' nerves with a seventh-minute spot kick.

Villa, who are still in danger of relegation, offered little and United stretched their lead just before halftime through Danny Welbeck's close-range finish.

Rooney scored again with a deflected effort after 73 minutes and Nani added the fourth in stoppage time.

United moved to 82 points with four games left. Resurgent Manchester City, who thrashed Norwich City 6-1 away on Saturday, are on 77.

The top two face off at The Etihad Stadium on April 30.

United had seen an eight-point lead reduced to two in the space of a week courtesy of a shock defeat at Wigan Athletic and City's return to form so failure to beat Villa would have opened the door for their rivals.

Once Rooney tucked his penalty past Shay Given for his 23rd

Premier League goal of the campaign, Alex Ferguson's side never looked in any danger against a modest Villa.

The

award of the penalty was contentious, however.

Former

Villa player Young cut in from the left into the area and as he pushed the ball past defender Ciaran Clark he appeared to throw himself to the floor directly in front of referee Mark Halsey who pointed to the spot.

It

was the second home game in succession that Young had been involved in a "diving" controversy after his part in United's penalty against Queens Park Rangers last week that resulted in Shaun Derry being sent off.

Two minutes before halftime United made it 2-0

when Welbeck arrived at the far post to convert a low Patrice Evra cross that had evaded two Villa defenders.

United

were in cruise control in the second half and killed off the visitors when Rooney combined well with Antonio Valencia before his shot brushed off James Collins and past Shay Given.

Substitute

Nani, on for Young, scored in time added on after Johnny Evans picked out the winger inside the box.

While United moved a step closer to their 20th English title, Villa remain just six points above the bottom three after winning just once in their last 11